[Enter Lady Bracknell. The couples separate in alarm. Exit
Merriman.]

Lady Bracknell. Gwendolen! What does this mean?

Gwendolen. Merely that I am engaged to be married to Mr. Worthing,
mamma.

Lady Bracknell. Come here. Sit down. Sit down immediately.
Hesitation of any kind is a sign of mental decay in the young, of
physical weakness in the old. [Turns to Jack.] Apprised, sir, of
my daughter's sudden flight by her trusty maid, whose confidence I
purchased by means of a small coin, I followed her at once by a
luggage train. Her unhappy father is, I am glad to say, under the
impression that she is attending a more than usually lengthy lecture
by the University Extension Scheme on the Influence of a permanent
income on Thought. I do not propose to undeceive him. Indeed I
have never undeceived him on any question. I would consider it
wrong. But of course, you will clearly understand that all
communication between yourself and my daughter must cease
immediately from this moment. On this point, as indeed on all
points, I am firm.

Jack. I am engaged to be married to Gwendolen Lady Bracknell!

Lady Bracknell. You are nothing of the kind, sir. And now, as
regards Algernon! . . . Algernon!

Algernon. Yes, Aunt Augusta.